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Ex-Samsung employees who shared chip secrets with China get jailed

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Seven ex-Samsung employees were found guilty and jailed for illegally obtaining and sharing chip-related technology with companies based in China. Before proceeding, you should know that SEMES Co. is a Samsung subsidiary that produces equipment used in chipset and display manufacturing process.

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The Suwon District Court sentenced a former researcher of SEMES to four years in prison for illegally obtaining technologies related to semiconductor cleaning equipment and using those technologies to build similar tools destined for exports to China.

In addition to this, a company that was founded by the researcher to produce semiconductor cleaning equipment using SEMES technology was fined 1 billion won, or roughly $768,000, by the Suwon District Court, according to the ruling released on Monday.

Furthermore, six other ex-employees of SEMES were also found guilty of involvement in the technology theft and received sentences of up to 2½ years in prison. As per the WSJ report, a Samsung spokeswoman referred questions for comment to the subsidiary, while lawyers representing the seven weren’t disclosed by the court.

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According to the report, the information obtained by the ex-employees included equipment-design blueprints and a list of related components extracted through photos and misappropriated files from 2018 to 2020. Notably, some stolen info involved technologies covered by South Korean laws protecting “national core technologies.”

“It will also create an outcome where competing foreign firms easily steal technology that Korean companies have built up with great effort under the guise of talent recruitment,” the court ruling read.

Using the stolen information, the individuals created 24 semiconductor cleaning equipment blueprints and sold 14 cleaning machines to competing Chinese firms and a Chinese research institute whose names were withheld, according to the court ruling.

Compared to the US, South Korea, and Taiwan, China is years behind in producing advanced semiconductors. The US export restrictions have left the Chinese chip industry without essential foreign technologies. China has spent billions building up its own semiconductor companies.

James is the lead content creator on Sammy Fans and mostly works on Samsung's firmware section. His first phone was the Galaxy S4 and continues to get new S series devices. Most of the time, James tries to learn about new technologies and gadgets but he also sneaks a bit of free time to nearby rivers and nature.

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9 Samsung Galaxy devices will get Circle to Search feature this week

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Samsung devices Circle to search feature

Samsung‘s Galaxy S24 series introduced the Google-powered Circle to Search feature, which is now set to expand to more Galaxy devices with the One UI 6.1 update. The Circle to Search feature expansion has been officially confirmed for more Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models.

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Circle to Search will be available on more Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices this week. He also noted that this feature would allow users to translate text on their screen without switching between applications.

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One UI 6.1 update will bring the Circle to Search feature to nine Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy S23 Plus, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Following the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 series, this feature is also now scheduled to be released for the Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet starting this week.

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Samsung’s Bespoke AI Combo shines in outdoor ads at Korea’s major landmarks

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Samsung is enhancing its presence with the ‘Bespoke AI Combo’ through outdoor advertisements at major landmarks across Korea. The advertisement highlights the product’s efficiency, showcasing its ability to wash and dry clothes swiftly using AI technology.

Since the 8th of March, the campaign has reached 20 significant locations, leading to outstanding sales of over 1,000 units in just three days and a total of 3,000 units in 12 days.

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The company has showcased the ‘Bespoke AI Combo’ at prominent locations in Korea including Yeouido The Hyundai Seoul, Seoul COEX, Seoul Famille Station, Gangnam Station, Starfield Suwon, Busan Shinsegae Department Store Centum City Branch, and Shinsegae Department Store Daegu Branch.

Samsung is set to expand its marketing efforts for the ‘Bespoke AI Combo’ with a TV advertisement scheduled for the 23rd, complementing its existing outdoor campaign.

Furthermore, this year, Samsung continues to advance its AI home appliance line, introducing products like the Bespoke Jet AI and Bespoke Grande AI, strengthening its position as a leader in AI-powered home appliances.

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Apple faces US DOJ lawsuit over alleged iPhone monopoly

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Apple US DOJ iphone monopoly

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against tech giant Apple, accusing the company of maintaining an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. The DOJ accuses Apple of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The suit claims Apple has restricted third-party app growth, limited cloud and game-streaming services, forced continued iPhone purchases for messaging, diminished non-Apple smartwatch functionality, and prevented third-party digital wallet use.

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In a press conference, US Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted issues such as the App Store’s fee system, degraded third-party accessory experiences, and relies heavily on Messages. The case, backed by 16 state Attorneys General, could have significant implications for Apple’s business practices and the broader tech industry.

The US DOJ said in a release about the suit:

Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others.”

Apple US DOJ iphone monopoly

Apple also responded by defending its innovation and user-focused approach, warning that the lawsuit could hinder its ability to deliver the seamless technology integration users expect. Check the entire response of Apple below.

At Apple, we innovate every day to make technology people love — designing products that work seamlessly together, protect people’s privacy and security, and create a magical experience for our users. This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets.

If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple — where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering the government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.”

VIA

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